Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association

As a year-round event center, Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association (ACAFA), also known as the Alameda County Fairgrounds, hosts more than 300 events every year. The ACAFA also operates the Fairpark RV Campground, Off-Track Betting Satellite, and an annual Fair with nearly a half million guests.

The Alameda County Fair made its debut in Pleasanton in 1912 and has continued as a celebration of the heritage and diversity of the community for more than 100 years. It is ranked among the top 50 Fairs in the US and strives to fulfill its mission – assure the long-term viability of the grounds, present an exceptional annual Fair that celebrates the heritage and diversity of Alameda County, and provide year-round opportunities for facility usage.

Alameda County Fairgrounds has a rich history dating back 165 years. Did you know the Fairgrounds include:

• A historic race track, celebrating its 165th anniversary this year. It is the oldest, one-mile dirt track in America. Built-in 1858 by the Bernal family, the track originally served as a winter horse training facility. Over the years, some of California’s greatest racehorses, including the legendary Seabiscuit, were known to have trained at the property.
• Live horse racing – during the Fair, live horse race meets return and the Stella Artois Grandstand offers open seating as well as Box Seats for purchase (4-, 6-, or 8-person box seats). You can also purchase seats at the Trackside Terrace outdoor patio and Sky Lounge; both offer a gourmet buffet and no-host bar.
• The satellite wagering facility, Pleasanton Off-Track Betting(OTB), hosts the Turf Club Café inside that offers Happy Hour a few days a week.
• Blue Devils Bingo hosts games every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at OTB.
• With big Lottery tickets making the news lately, did you know you can play all of the CA Lottery games at the Fairgrounds? Inside OTB, you can play to your heart’s delight.
• Two RV parks (North and South) that hold up to 166 RVs. Both parks offer reservations for one RV and one vehicle, includes WiFi, and water, sewer, and electrical hookups.
• Located at North RV Fairpark, the general store sells convenience foods and sundries.
• Propane and other supplies are sold on-site at Mike Nohr’s RV Parts & Service shop.
• The Pleasanton Equestrian Center (PEC) includes 600 permanent horse stalls, three show arenas, two round pens, and a full jump set. Various equestrian events happen at PEC throughout the year such as Gymkhana Playdates and the Golden Gate Arabian Show.
• Hungry for breakfast? Visit the Stable Café situated right in front of the horse stables. Open 6 – 11 am Wednesday through Sunday and 4 – 6 pm on Thursdays.
• A nine-hole public golf course and a driving range. To visit Pleasanton Golf Course, which is in the center of the race track, enter the Yellow Gate off Pleasanton Ave and drive through a tunnel – don’t forget to honk your horn.
• And a Driving Range off of Gate 12 on Valley Ave.
• A model train display all year long. The Alameda County Central Railroad Society has a model train display with two layouts (HO and O scale).
• An American Farm Tractor Museum is open to guests every day of the Fair.
• Plans for a Future High Tech Farm. The Alameda County Fair Foundation is raising funds to build The Farm on the Fairgrounds to teach students the importance of farming and how technology is making the industry successful.
• The Marissa Hunt Agricultural Education Center, an 8,000 square-foot facility located on Fairgrounds property, welcomes Alameda County FFA and 4-H Club members who want to raise animals for the Fair’s Junior Livestock Show, but lack a place to do it.
• A historic home. The Heathcote-MacKenzie House, also known as The Heritage House or Haggerty House, was built on the site of the Fairgrounds around 1905, to host wealthy harness racers from Canada who wintered their horses in Pleasanton. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a beautiful craftsman-style home that currently houses the offices of District 1 Alameda County Supervisor.

All this, and did you know the Association is completely self-supporting and receives no funding from tax revenue? The property is managed by a non-profit. Proceeds are used each year to put on the next Fair.

Next time you attend an event at the Fairgrounds, or even the annual summer Fair, remember you are part of deep history and we celebrate you!

Now you know!

What will you find at the crossroads of the 580 and 680 freeways in the Bay Area from June 16 – July 9? The Alameda County Fair! Over the course of 20 days, the Bay Area’s largest and longest running Fair welcomes nearly a half million guests.

Brands look for the best options to highlight their products from sponsoring events, a location or a charity. One of the best options for brand awareness and recognition across generations is an event that brings an entire community together. Easy, look no further than the home of summer fun since 1912, the annual Alameda County Fair.

Sponsoring at the Alameda County Fair is a great opportunity for businesses that are looking to increase their brand exposure, connect with their target audience and build credibility within their industry. Here are a few reasons why sponsoring at the Alameda County Fairgrounds could be beneficial for any business:

1. Reach a large online audience of over 3.5 million: The Alameda County Fair is dedicated to the community helping partners reach a large online audience who are more likely to be interested in the products or services.
2. Build brand awareness: By sponsoring the Alameda County Fair, a business will gain exposure to a wider audience, including all ages, interests and professional levels with the event attendees, partners and participants. This can help to increase brand awareness and build a reputation within an industry.
3. Connect with a target market: Sponsoring can also provide an opportunity to connect with a target market on a personal level. Or engage with the audience through sponsored posts, guest blogging and other marketing activities, which can help to establish a brand as a thought leader in the industry.
4. Increase credibility: Sponsoring at the Alameda County Fair can also help to increase credibility of a business within the industry. By associating a brand with an established and respected organization, the business can demonstrate a commitment to the industry and build trust with potential customers.
5. Partner with a 501(3)c non-profit dedicated to helping the community with food, pet food, blood drives, school supplies and coat drives, as well as, being a location for emergency services to deploy to help with large fires and more!

People choose brands they relate to, logos they associate core memories with, and companies who are there by their side as they experience their first deep-fried twinkie. When sponsoring a summer Fair, a business or charity is choosing to be a part of someone’s warm summer nights and happy summertime memories with those they love.

What does sponsoring the Alameda County Fair look like? What makes it unique?

• Showcase a company’s support of the community
• Solidify a brand that supports non-profits
• Engage with over half a million guests in person
• Reach over 3.5 million online and millions more with media and advertising inclusion
• Create lifelong customers by associating with core memories
• Introduce a product to a vast demographic including all age groups
• Promote a brand in a positive and fun environment

Overall, sponsoring the Alameda County Fair can be a smart investment for businesses that are looking to increase their brand exposure, connect with their target audience and establish themselves as leaders in their industry.

It is never too late to sponsor, the Alameda County Fairgrounds has year-round opportunities as well.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the summer Alameda County Fair, contact spease@alamedacountyfair.com today!

Ever since I was a child, the Alameda County Fair has been my favorite place to hang out during the summer. Usually, I go with friends or sometimes I go alone. Some of my favorite attractions were the rides, food, games, and shopping exhibitions. However, I often wonder what it would be like to work at the fair or have my own booth.

In 2016, I received an email from the Alameda County Fair asking local artists to showcase art for the new Artist Alley, now called Makers’ Market. Since I’ve been taking art classes for two years at Laney College, this was a perfect opportunity to display my work to the public. I sent an email with my original paintings and former coordinator Melanie Johnston was so impressed, she encouraged me to join. My plan was to sell my paintings and do live painting demos for fair goers. Since I had no experience, it was a lot harder than I thought because very few people saw my demos and I only sold a few paintings. At least it was the start of something.

The next year, my original paintings were made into greeting cards after my grandfather passed away. This became one of my best sellers, but it was the slowest year because I only had three days to sell, and the weather was hot. By 2018 and 2019, I started to get an increase in sales, thanks to the logo, business cards, and brochures I created when I took Graphic Arts classes at Laney College.

During the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Alameda County Fair was canceled and Kevin’s Cards went on hiatus. This led to depression and not being able to hang out with anyone. In 2021, the Fair returned in the fall and Terri Thut asked me if I was interested in participating. At first, I wasn’t sure, but since this was Kevin’s Cards 5th Anniversary, I told her I would do it if I put my business back together. Even though it was a little slow at times, this was about a second chance.

Last year, Erika O’Bryan encouraged me to paint Ferris Wheels and swings. This led me to create paintings inspired by the Alameda County Fair including several buildings and the Fair logo. Since the sale was a huge success, I decided to write a book about my experience entitled Artist Alley: Kevin’s Cards at the Alameda County Fair. This talks about Artist Alley and provides tips on how to have a successful booth. I’ll be selling copies of it during the 2023 Alameda County Fair.

Overall, I enjoy showcasing my art at the Alameda County Fair because I love meeting new people and supporting local artists. More importantly, the entire staff are considered my heroes because they have inspired me to be a better person! If I didn’t get that email in 2021, Kevin’s Cards would likely go out of business!

“The Alameda County Fair is more than just a fair, it’s about making your dreams come true!”
-Kevin Smith

Have you been itching to see a live concert? With summer coming, most are!

As spring approaches and the days get longer, the music and entertainment industry rev up for concert tours and appearances.

Looking for the best concert deal? With concerts now playing at local wineries, stadiums, parks and more, how do you decide? How many of these venues offer corndogs, cotton candy, fried Twinkies, pig racing, carnival rides and games, live horse racing and shopping, too? How many have Drone Shows and Fireworks or Petting Barns?

How about an outdoor amphitheater under the stars with genres from classic rock to rap to country. Alameda County Fair’s Big O’ Tires Concert Series kicks off June 16 with 19 shows through July 9. The Fair brings in some of those fan-fav artists live, including performances this year from E-40 and Joe Nichols, as well as new cover bands singing George Michael, Yacht Music and the Bee Gees.

With a venue as small as the Lucky Amphitheater, there is no bad seat, every spot is VIP. Not to mention, bleacher seats are free with general Fair admission. Or if you want that front row experience, you can purchase a reserved seat and sit close to the stage – a guaranteed spot!

Did that sound amazing? Looking to grab that best VIP seat, Season Pass Holders get early access to picking seats for every single concert.

For those more interested in watching with their kids and want to give them space to play or are looking for more of a picnic feel, there is the Michelob Ultra Concert Lawn outside the Lucky Amphitheater playing the show live on an enormous jumbotron screen. Bring a blanket and grab a funnel cake for an incredible concert and summer night.

The fun is just beginning! Immediately following each concert is a spectacular Drone Show over the Stella Artois Grandstand with more music. Better yet, hop on the Sky Ride and watch the show as you cross the Fairgrounds. It makes for a night you will never forget.

Opt-in to the Fair’s e-newsletter for concert announcements and be the first to buy a premium seat.

Coming to the Fair? Need that perfect outfit. Whether dressing for live horse racing, carnival rides, tasting fests, a night time concert or to just sit and watch your children or Fair goers, you want that perfect outfit.

It is said that life is incomplete without fashion….maybe that is a stretch. Regardless, there are perfect and fashionable outfits for summer days or cool nights at the Fair? However, that final touch makes a huge impact. A fashion certainty – an accessory can be so good it perfects the entire outfit.

Every look is not complete without the addition of one or two accessories that elevates the ensemble. Ladies, lipstick is an accessory in and of itself, right? Just switching up different lip shades from morning to night is one of the easiest ways to update a look throughout the day.

Dark framed contemporary sunglasses are not only a practical tool to protect your eyes from the sun, but key when you want to be makeup free for the day or add some edginess to your look.

Fashion doesn’t stop when you walk out the door. Oh no, that’s just when the shopping begins. With artists, crafters and designers selling their product at the Fair, it is the best time to add accessories to your outfit, like a hat!

With Selfie Spots, including three new 30 feet Themed Selfies, all over the Fairgrounds, the right outfit and look will make that perfect post-able photo at the 2023 Fair. Tag #alamedacountyfair and reach an even larger audience.

 

 

Then there are those California evenings. Summer nights in Pleasanton are beautiful, but can be chilly. Wrapping a soft summer scarf or shawl with a different lip shade, or putting on a necklace can create a new look in just a few seconds.

 

The fashion world is not only limited to clothing, accessories are an inseparable part of the wardrobe. Accessorize to create your unique fashion statement any day of Fair, weekday or weekend, daytime or night!

Just do an internet search of guest services and you will find hundreds of articles about the 5 pillars of customer service…the staple of guest services…companies need to stop trying so hard…the seven tricks…and so on. According to one article, the most important yet underrated customer service rule is providing prompt responses to customers. Everyone is treated equally. Time is valuable.

 

What is Guest Services? What does Customer Service do? At the Alameda County Fair, we listen to questions and find solutions. At the Fairgrounds, it is a year round job between managing the annual summer Fair and hosting up to 300 events annually. There is never a dull moment!

 

During the year, the Alameda County Fairgrounds front desk, cheerfully answers questions and directs calls to the correct contact. If we don’t know an answer, we will take down information and reply back when we do. During Fair alone, we yield dozens of calls an hour. Anything from, how do I buy a concert ticket to where do I redeem my carnival voucher ticket to is there VIP parking.

 

When the Fair’s summer Concert Series launches ticket sales, the phones light up and emails come flooding in. It is an exciting time as guests share their excitement for the shows on sale and want to make sure they have all the information to find the best seat or the best deal.

 

What you may not know is the Customer Services team moves from the front desk to the Guest Services office during the Fair where we coordinate the staff of five Information booths. At the booths guests can ask questions, find the daily Fair schedule, grab or snap an image of the Fair map, ask where to find a corn dog, nursing station, concert of the night, movie of the day, where they can refill their water bottle and so on and so on!

 

We are the last to leave at night making sure all guests exit the Fair safely. With the assistance of our Security team, we help tired guests with lost keys, lost children, lost cars, and one time, lost teeth!

 

There is never a dull moment, not to mention, never a dull question, such as:

“Do you rent baby pigs for parties?”

• No, we do not have animals on site outside of Fairtime. However, you can find people who rent pigs on Google.

“What was the name of the roller rink that was at the Fairgrounds in the 1970’s?”

• Roller Faire

“Did you have a National Guard Armory on the Fairgrounds?”

• Many Fairgrounds throughout the United States used a portion of the grounds to construct armories during the war. Alameda County Fairgrounds never had an Armory because it is not and never was owned by the state (or county).

“Can I bring my parrot to the Fair? It is quiet and sits on my shoulder.”

• No, unfortunately we do not allow pets on the Fairgrounds for the safety of other guests and the animals.

 

Next time you have a question or need help with an event on the Fairgrounds or at the annual summer Fair, know there is a team of Guest Services here to make your experience better! We’ve got your back.

 

Socially distanced events seem to be the new normal for the coming months. The Alameda County Fairgrounds decided to take these strange times and turn them into opportunity – Food Trucks and Concession Stands featuring classic Fair food favorites!

For several years I lived in a town that hosted a Food Truck Festival and loved walking among the trucks each night and deciding what sounded best, it was always one of my favorite summer memories. Needless to say, I was quite excited to learn we were bringing Food Trucks to the Fairgrounds.

While we do not get to celebrate summer with the annual Alameda County Fair this year, we can celebrate another one of my favorite summer traditions with Food Trucks. Seeing families, friends and kids shop and enjoy the food trucks make me happy to know that summer memories can still be made regardless of what we are dealing with outside that Food Truck lot.

The Food Trucks and Concession Stands at the Fairgrounds truly are Fair favorites and embrace the variety of foods that we have each year at the Fair. From Jumbo Corn dogs to Ribs to Funnel Cakes with extra whipped cream, there is something for everyone.

The addition of our lawn area being open for picnicking has made us so excited to be a place for social bubbles to gather safely and have their Fair food too. Friendly staff cleans tables and shared areas once a family leaves and ensures the safety and fun for everyone! We may not be able to hold music festivals on the lawn quite yet, but a Fair Food picnic is our silver lining this year. And I must say, I can’t complain!

Every year leading up to the last week of Fair, exhibitors are anxiously awaiting the Junior Livestock Auction and potential buyers are excited to see the animals available that year. 2020 had different plans. After the cancellation of the 2020 Alameda County Fair, we quickly moved to see how we could hold an auction for our 4-H and FFA exhibitors this year.

This year a completely Virtual Auction will take place from July 10 to July 12. Our team wanted to ensure that exhibitors who have been putting in the hard work since September were able to enjoy one of the events they look forward to most at the end of Fair. Most of the exhibitors had already purchased their show animals prior to the Shelter in Place or Fair being canceled. Beef exhibitors buy their project animals as early as September.

This year we had many kids who were able to raise their animals in the Marissa Hunt Youth Barn on the Fairgrounds and are excited to see their yearlong project through to the end. They have been able to raise these animals this year despite not having a place to raise them at their own homes. These kids came to the Youth Barn each day to care for their animals and create the best scenario for the annual auction.

The Virtual Junior Livestock Auction is anticipating 250 entries for steer, sheep, pigs and goats. Pre-bidding and add-ons begin Friday, July 10 at 5pm and go through Sunday, July 12 at 8:59am. Pre-bidding allows a bidder to place a minimum bid and receive a notification when they are outbid. Add-ons allow for a bidder to sponsor an animal for flat rate to add to the exhibitor’s overall sale.

On July 12, from 9am to 4pm, the Virtual Auction will take place by highlighting each lot for sale. Our virtual auction has been a huge hit; bidder registration is up by 40% over 2019.

We are excited to be able to bring an auction to our 4-H and FFA exhibitors this year, regardless of whether or not we can have the anxious butterflies in the days leading up to the event.